Process of extracting platinum and similar metals from their sands and ores



um'rso states A Parent @EFIQE. I

RUSSELL THAYER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA;

rnoonss or nx'rnacrme PLATINUM nn SIMILAR METALS FROM THEIR SANDS ANDORES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUssnLL THAYER, of Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Processes of Extracting Platinum and SimilarMetals from Their Sands and Ores, whereof the following is aspecification.

Under the term similar metals, I include certain rare metals of theso-called platinum group, commonly found in nature associated withplatinum, which, although they have a high melting point and highspecific gravity, comparable to those of platinum appear to bevolatilizable at relatively low temperatures when in a very finelydivided, or possibly colloidal, state.

The present invention relates to a process of the same general characteras those set forth in my Letters Patent No. 1,273,202, dated July 23,1918, and No. 1,281,878 and No. 1,281,879, dated October 15, 1918, inthat the essential principle of operation depends upon thevolatilization of the finely divided metallic particles from the ores orsands, in which said metals are found in nature, in the finely divided,or possibly colloidal state, above referred to.

In carrying out the processes set forth in said Letters Patentrespectively and more particularly that of Letters Patent No. 1,281,878,I have found that the treatment may be greatly enhanced by the additionof a certain halogen compounds of the alkaline metals, either alone, orin conjunction with other ingredients, andu-while the process about tobe described is comprehended within the description and claims, moreparticularly, of said Letters Patent No. 1,281,878, it constitutes aspecific improvement upon my previous inventions which is important forpractical purposes.

The following may be taken as a typical instance of the employment of mypresent in vention I take a body of platiniferous sand or ore, of suchcubic content as to be conveniently treated in a retort of reasonablesize, and preferably grind. the material very fine, say about 200 mesh,the degree of fineness, however, depending upon the character of thesands or ore, and the metallic content thereof, since, in many casesonly a slight'grinding, or possibly none at all, is necessary toSpecification of Letters Patent.

release the metallic, particles from their en velop.

To one dry ton'of 2000 pounds, of such sands, I add a charge whose totalis preferably about three per cent., of the ore charge, say sixtypounds, of one or more of the following reagents in a comminutedcondition, v1z.calc1um chlorid, sodium chlorid, 0r lluor-spar, or toforty pounds of any one or more of these, twenty pounds of potassium orsodium hydroxid may be advantageously added as an adjunct making a totalof sixty pounds. Primarily, however, the present improvements comprisethe employment of halogen compound of an alkali metal, those abovementioned being the most economical for commercial purposes.

The added ingredients are thoroughly intermingled with the body ofsands, by mechanical means preferably with the addition of watersufficient to moisten the charge throughout.

The mass is then subjected in a retort to the action of heat, preferablyfrom about 900 degrees to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, and

the heating is continued for a period dependent upon the size of thecharge and character of the ore and until the volatilization of themetal is effected. Ordinarily, with a charge of the above amount of suchsands as are characteristic of the deposit of Herkimer county, New York,two hours of heating will suffice. The effluent end of the retort isconnected with a suitable'receptacle in which the volatilized metal iscollected, and it is then recovered by any desired means.

Patented J line 1, 1920' Application filed June 26, 1919. Serial no.306,774.

The foregoing instance of the application of'myinvention is intended tobe typical, and not restrictive. Furthermore it must be understood thatwhile I refer to the ore as granular, I employ that term as aconvenientone to describe the condition most suitable for treatment, andI include thereby not only material' which in its natural state might betermed granular, but also rock or fragments of substantial size whenreduced by grinding, or otherwise.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. The herein described process for the recovery of platinum and similarmetals from granular ore, which consists in commingling, compound of analkalimetal; subjecting the charge to the action of heat, whereby themetal is Volatilized and removed from the ore; and collecting thevolatilized metal, substantially as set forth.

2. The herein described process for the recovery of platinum and similarmetals from granular ore, which consists in commi'ngling, with a chargeof ore, a halogen compound of an alkali metal, in conjunction with analkaline hydroxid; subjecting the charge to the action of heat, wherebythe metal is volatilized and removed from the ore; and collecting thevolatilized metal, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto l5 signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 24th day of June 1919.

RUSSELL THAYER.

Witnesses I JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON.

